Honda Freed wins the 45th 2024-2025 Japan Car of the Year award!

Honda’s Freed has been named the 2024-2025 Japan Car of the Year! The car was selected for its spacious interior, ease of use, and driving pleasure.

2024-2025 Japan Car of the Year Results Summary

45th 2024-2025 Japan Car of the Year Grand Prize: New “Freed”

The Freed is a popular vehicle among Japanese families, boasting three rows of seats despite being a five-number size vehicle. It has been designed to be comfortable and easy to use, creating a space where everyone can live comfortably.

Furthermore, it is equipped with Honda’s unique hybrid system “e:HEV,” which combines powerful driving performance with excellent fuel efficiency. As an environmentally friendly car, it has gained support from a wide range of generations.

Satoru Asaka, the development manager, said, “The aim of the Freed was to fit into the lives of its occupants and bring smiles to their faces. From everyday use to leisure, it is a ‘just right’ car that can be used in any situation and will support the lives of many people.”

45th 2024-2025 Import Car of the Year BMW “MINI Cooper”

Meanwhile, BMW’s “MINI Cooper” was selected as the Import Car of the Year. While retaining its traditional style, it also includes an EV model in its lineup, meeting modern needs.

2024-2025 Design Car of the Year Mitsubishi Motors “Triton”

The Design Car of the Year award went to Mitsubishi Motors’ Triton, which combines a powerful form with sophisticated design to propose a new lifestyle.

2024-2025 Technology Car of the Year: Honda CR-V e:FCEV

Honda’s CR-V e:FCEV was selected as Technology Car of the Year. Although it is a fuel cell vehicle, it can also be used as a plug-in hybrid. It was praised for addressing the issue of a shortage of hydrogen stations and for its increased convenience.

2024-2025 Executive Committee Special Award

Mazda’s e-SKYACTIV R-EV won the Executive Committee Special Award. Its innovative technology of using a rotary engine as a generator shows the possibilities of the future.

44th 2023-2024 Japan Car of the Year Top 10 Cars

45th 2024-2025 Japan Car of the Year Top 10 Cars

Among the many new cars with a wide variety of appealing features, we would like to introduce you to the 10 cars that were carefully selected by the selection committee.

1. Suzuki Front

This compact SUV is part of Suzuki’s global strategy. Its appeal lies in its powerful design, excellent fuel economy, and comprehensive safety features. Its excellent off-road capabilities, honed in the Indian market, are also noteworthy.

2. Toyota Land Cruiser 250

Toyota’s iconic off-road vehicle, affectionately known as the “Land Cruiser,” has undergone a full model change for the first time in 70 years. While inheriting its traditions, it combines modern design with cutting-edge technology. Its off-road capabilities have been further improved, and on-road comfort has also been enhanced.

3. Honda Freed

The Freed, a minivan popular with families, has evolved into its third generation. While retaining its spacious interior and ease of use, it now features a refined exterior design and the latest safety and driving support systems.

4. Mazda CX-80

Mazda’s flagship SUV, the CX-80, features a spacious interior with three rows of seats and a high-quality interior. Equipped with the latest diesel engine, it delivers powerful driving performance while also being environmentally friendly.

5. Mitsubishi Triton

Mitsubishi Motors’ pride and joy, the Triton pickup truck, has undergone a full model change into its sixth generation. Combining tough off-road capability and practicality, it’s perfect for both work and leisure. Its powerful design is also appealing.

6. Lexus LBX

This compact SUV is the entry model for the Lexus brand. It offers urban styling, a high-quality interior, and a comfortable ride. It also features a hybrid system, making it environmentally friendly.

7. BYD SEAL

This stylish sedan from Chinese EV manufacturer BYD offers sporty driving performance and a large-capacity battery that enables long-distance driving. It also comes equipped with a full range of advanced safety features.

8. Hyundai IONIQ 5 N

This high-performance EV from Korean automaker Hyundai is attractive for its sporty design and impressive acceleration. It also comes equipped with the latest driver assistance systems, ensuring safety.

9. MINI Cooper

BMW Group’s MINI has announced the new Cooper. While retaining its traditional design, an EV model has also been added to the lineup. The light and nimble driving feel, known as the go-kart feeling, is still alive and well.

10. Volvo EX30

This compact SUV from Swedish premium brand Volvo is characterized by its sophisticated design, comprehensive safety features, and excellent environmental performance. An EV model is also available.

• Suzuki Front
• Toyota Land Cruiser 250
• Honda Freed
• Mazda CX-80
• Mitsubishi Triton
• Lexus LBX
• BYD seal
• Hyundai Ionic 5 N
• MINI Cooper
• Volvo EX30

What is Japan Car of the Year?

Established in 1980, the Japan Car of the Year is a prestigious award that selects the best new car of the year. The award is subject to rigorous screening by a selection committee made up of automotive critics, journalists, and experts.

In the first selection meeting to decide the 2024-2025 Japan Car of the Year, the top 10 “10 Best Cars” were selected from the total of 31 nominated cars to advance to the final selection meeting. The top 10 cars will be selected by a selection committee consisting of automotive critics, journalists, and experts, and the Japan Car of the Year will be decided from these.

The selection criteria are wide-ranging, including design, performance, safety, environmental friendliness, economy, and customer satisfaction. As the times change, the elements of what people want in a car also change, so the selection criteria are constantly being updated.

Past winners include some of the most iconic cars of their era. The first winner was the Toyota Celica XX in 1980. Since then, cars that led the way with their innovative technology and design, such as the Honda NSX, Mazda RX-7, and Toyota Prius, have won the award.

In recent years, with growing interest in environmental performance, hybrid cars and electric vehicles have been winning more awards. The 2023-2024 award winners were the Nissan Sakura and Mitsubishi eK Cross EV. This was the first time that an electric vehicle won the award as a light vehicle, which caused quite a stir.

It will be streamed on the official Japan Car of the Year YouTube channel.

A word from the editorial department

Congratulations to the Honda Freed for winning the Japan Car of the Year award!

This award is likely a result of the Freed’s “just right” feel and Honda’s sincere approach to car manufacturing.

The Freed, which puts passengers first and pursues comfort and ease of use, can be said to be the ideal Japanese family car.

We hope that Freed will continue to bring smiles to many families!

https://www.jcoty.org